Opinion

Re: Kashmir at the Crossroads

Indians should realize Kashmiris no longer want to be occupied by the Indian Army.

Mr. Jafri seems to be oblivious to BBC, NYTimes, ITN and Al-Jazera reporting on young teenagers throwing rocks at the mighty Indian Army and graffiti exhorting Indian soldiers to go home to India ("Indian dogs go home!").

Kashmiris ask Indians to honor the promise Nehru made to them that he would allow them to choose between India or Pakistan via a plebicite. It is clear to all that Kashmiris do not consider Indian soldiers as their own, nor do they think these Indians are their to protect them. Kashmiris feel they were colonized by Indians after the British left. Recent reporting by Anjana Chatterji and Arundhati Roy bears testimony to this. Indians should realize Kashmiris no longer want to be occupied by the Indian Army. I have had engaging conversations with Kashmiri immigrants/students at the University of Massachusetts regarding their wish to be free of India.